Cyclometer



(No Model.) 7

' J. J. MORTON.

GYGLOMETER.

Patented Mar. 14, 1882.

INVENTOR WITNESSES: lwl 7%uli :a/ia/V' ATTORNEYS.

n. PEYERQ. Plmlc-Lnhogmpher, \Nnshmglcn, by c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J. MORTON, OF ALBION, MICHIGAN.

CYCLOM ETE R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 255,004, dated March 14, 1882.

Application filed June 14, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN J. MORTON, of Albion, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented a Combination Odometer and Lamp for Bicycles, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to apply odometers to bicycles in an inexpensive and convenient manner, and so as to secure accuracy of operation without liability of derangement.

Heretofore odometers have been applied to v the axles of bicycles; but,the space being limited, it has been necessary to remove the lamp to makeroom. Further, the application has not been such as to secure accuracy nor render the instrument convenient for observation.

My invention consists in an odometer suspended face upward, so that it can be freely observed by the rider, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a sectional front View of the forward or driving wheel of a bicycle with a lamp and odometer applied to the axle in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the axleand vertical section of thelamp and meter. Fig. 3 is a face view of the meter, and Fig. 4 is a side view of the key used for locking the case to the axle.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The wheel A, with its axle a and cranks a a, is of usual construction, and the lamp and meter are upon the axle, between the hubs of the wheel.

B is the lamp, and O the odometer.

The lamp-case is similar to those in common use. On the top of the case is fixed a box, 1),.

having apertured ends 0, that are fitted with segments (1, of leather or other suitable material, for fitting the axle. The box I) is made in two portions, hinged at c, the line of division being longitudinal, and one portion being a fixture on thelamp-case. The movable portion has a tongue, f, on which is a staple, g, placed to project through the upper part or hood of the lamp-case when the box is closed, so as to receive a key, h, for retaining the parts securely. A key of bent spring-wire, such as is shown in Fig. 4, is preferred.

(No model.)

The odometer (J is fixed to the hinged or movable portion of the box I).

The meter-case is an oblong flat box having one side fitted with a dial, 5, and glass cover It. The case is secured with the dialface upward, or in a horizontal position in use, so that it can be readily observed from above.

On the axle a is a worm, I, Fig. 2, and at the ends of the worm there are collars Z Z, that engage the box I) and prevent movement of the same endwise of the shaft. An arbor, m, extending through the under side of the metercase, carries a pinionm, that engages the worm I through a slot in the side of the box b. \Vithin the case the arbor mcarries a pinion that operates the hands 0 of the meter through a train of gearing. The mechanism is preferably proportioned to show hundredths of miles on the disk.

The hinged box allows the combined lamp and odometer to be placed on the axle a, and to be removed therefrom readily. When secured with the key there can be no displacement, and the lam p'serves as a balance-weight by which the odometer is held in the horizontal position on the revolving axle. The lamp and meter are free to swing more or less on the shaft; but the lamp will swing much less than heretofore, and the pinion n remains in gear, so that the record is correctly made.

The advantages of this construction and arrangement are obvious, and briefly are as follows: The use of an odometer with a hublamp is permitted, while heretofore the lamp had to be removed. The rider can see readily how far he has traveled without having to dismount, in consequence of the dial being above the axle and arranged with its face upward. The lamp is much more steady, as the weight of the meter steadies it when the vehicle passes over obstructions. The combination is inexpensive, neat in appearance, and compact in form. But slight power is required to operate the meter, and it is therefore no perceptible obstruction to progress. The meter will record accurately, and is noiseless in operation.

I do not claim as any part of my invention the combination of a lamp, a box, and an odometer with a crank-axle and worm, or the combination of an odometer, a box having bearings, and a suspended lamp with an axle and eter mounted upon the axle of the same, face to worm; but uppermost, and retained in position by means What I do claim as new and of my invenof a pendulous weight, substantially as specition is fied.

1. The combination, with the bicycle-lamp r T B and hinged box I), of the odometer G, fixed JOHN MORDOL' to the box with its dial facing upward, sub- I \Vitnesses: stantially as shown and described. J. J. ALLEY,

2. In combination with a bicycle, an odom- SAM V. IRWIN 

